Photo: Roy Adaniya
Spend your Labor Day weekend munching andagi, slurping Okinawa soba, listening to sanshin music and participating in the bon dance at the Okinawan Festival. Now in its 43rd year, it’s one of the largest ethnic festivals in the state of Hawai‘i. Organizers expect more than 40,000 attendees.
This year, the event celebrates the 125th anniversary of Okinawan immigration to Hawai‘i. The Governor of Okinawa and 40 mayors from Okinawa’s municipalities are flying in for the occasion. Along with all your favorite festival activities, including music and performing arts, cultural education, arts and crafts, historical exhibits, genealogy research and children’s games, there will also be special exhibits highlighting immigration and the achievements of Okinawan descendants in Hawai‘i.
The festival is put on by the Hawai‘i United Okinawa Association (HUOA) and supports its many cultural programs, including classes, genealogy resources, the Hawai‘i-Okinawa Student Exchange Program, the Children’s Cultural Day Camp, community service projects and more.
Click to the info you want to explore:
SEE ALSO: O‘ahu Bon Dance Schedule 2025
Photo: Milton Hee
When & Where
The 43rd Okinawan Festival is on Saturday, Aug. 30, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, Aug. 31, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. with early admission at 9 a.m. The bon dance is from 5:30 to 9 p.m. on Saturday night only. The event will take place at the Hawai‘i Convention Center, 1801 Kalākaua Ave.
How Much It Costs
We recommend purchasing tickets in advance, especially if you’re interested in the early admission tickets that give you access to the event from 9 a.m. They are priced at $15 for adults and $10 for seniors 65 years and older. Two-day early admission is $25 for adults and $15 for seniors. Tickets are free for keiki 12 and under.
For general admission with entry from 10 a.m., a single day is $10 for adults and $5 for seniors. Two-day tickets are $16 for adults and $8 for seniors. And, same with the early bird tickets, these are free for keiki 12 years and under.
BUY TICKETS
Admission is free to the bon dance on Saturday, but note that only select booths will be open during that time.
All booths and activities accept scrip for payment, except the beer garden operated by the Hawai‘i Convention Center where you’ll need to pay via credit card. Purchase scrip with cash or a credit card. One scrip is worth $1, and one scrip sheet is worth $10. You may use scrip, cash or credit card at the Craft Gallery and HUOA Store.
New this year, early admission attendees will be able to purchase scrip in the first floor main lobby prior to the doors opening at 9 a.m., which should alleviate lines at the scrip booths inside the exhibit hall.
Where to Park
Hawai‘i Convention Center
Parking at the Hawai‘i Convention Center is $15 per entry (no overnight or in/out privileges). Enter the convention center’s parking structure from Kalākaua Ave. Heads-up: the lot fills up around 9:30 a.m.
Ala Moana Shopping Center
Paid parking is available in areas where “Premium” parking signs are posted. Download the CameraPay App.
Civic Center Municipal Parking
You can park for free at the Civic Center Municipal Parking at 346 Alapai St. (enter from Beretania St.) and take the shuttle to the convention center. The shuttle will pick up from the Alapai Transfer Station across the street from Civic Center Municipal Parking. The shuttle cost is $5 round trip (collected upon return). You can purchase shuttle tickets from the Information Booth. The shuttle will run on Saturday from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Sunday from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.
PanAm Building
Enter the building from Makaloa Street. Park here for a flat rate of $6 for 8 hours and walk 5–10 minutes to the Hawai‘i Convention Center. Parking is open Saturday 9:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sunday from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Photo: Andrea Lee
What to Eat & Buy
One of the most important parts of the Okinawan Festival is the food, right? All of your usual favorites will be available once again. Here’s the scoop on the menu and prices:
Andagi – 3 Pieces for 4 Scrip
Andagi is an all-around festival favorite. Basic doughnut ingredients, such as sugar, flour, milk and eggs, are mixed into a batter and deep-fried.
Andadog – 1 for 4 Scrip
Hot dog on a stick dipped in andagi batter and deep-fried. The Okinawan version of a corndog.
Bon Dance Bento – 12 Scrip
Available for purchase during the bon dance only, while supplies last.
Champuru Plate – 9 Scrip
Shoyu pork, champuru (a stir fry of vegetables, luncheon meat and deep-fried tofu) served with andamiso (pork and miso mixture) and white rice. Vegetarian Champuru Plate is also available for 7 scrip.
Chili & Rice – 8 Scrip
Chili and rice in a bowl. A Chili Frank Plate is also available for 10 scrip.
Oki Dog – 10 Scrip
A hot dog and chili are wrapped in a soft tortilla with shredded shoyu pork and lettuce. An Okinawan Festival original!
Okinawa Soba – 12 Scrip
Okinawa soba served in hot soup and garnished with kamaboko (fishcake), shoyu pork, green onions and red ginger.
Okinawan Sweet Potato (Steamed) – 6 Scrip
Sold at the Country Store.
Pig’s Feet Soup (Saturday all day, Sunday morning only) – 15 Scrip
Pig’s feet are cooked in a soup stock and garnished with konbu (seaweed), daikon (turnip), togan (squash), mustard cabbage and served with hot rice.
Yakisoba – 9 Scrip
Okinawa-style soba stir-fried with vegetables and luncheon meat and seasoned with a special chef’s sauce.
Yakitori Bento – 7 Scrip
Two yakitori sticks with rice and furikake.
Yakitori – 2 Scrip
Skewered chicken grilled to perfection with a touch of teriyaki sauce.
Yakisoba. Photo: Courtesy of Okinawan Festival
Oki Dog. Photo: Credit Cliff Kimura
Champuru Plate. Photo: Courtesy of Okinawan Festival
Yakitori. Photo: Courtesy of Okinawan Festival
Chili dog. Photo: Courtesy of Okinawan Festival
Only select food booths will available during the bon dance: andagi, andadog, Okinawa soba and bento.
Photo: Credit Cliff Kimura
Country Store
At Machiya-Gwaa (Country Store), you’ll find new and unique local products to eat at the festival or take home with you. Here are some of the notable items:
Fresh fruits and veggies from Armstrong Produce, Kamiya Papaya and Sumida Watercress
Andamiso, an Okinawan Festival exclusive
Plantation iced tea and butterfly lemonade featuring limited-edition 43rd Annual Okinawan Festival acrylic milk cartons
Okuhara Foods’ miso butterfish and fishcake bites
Custom decorated cookies from You Made This for Me
Photo: Credit Cliff Kimura
Heiwa Dori
Visit Heiwa Dori for an impressive array of food products brought in directly from Okinawa. Among the most popular are:
Kombu (dried kelp)
Goya-cha (bitter melon tea)
Okinawa Soba
Andagi mix
Shikwasa Juice (Okinawan lemon-lime juice)
Kokuto (Okinawan black sugar candy)
Plant enthusiasts can browse a wide selection of potted plants and flowers that will be available for purchase. At the Craft Gallery, shop more than 30 local crafters and artisans with products such as unique clothing and jewelry, handmade crafts, keepsakes and gifts.
Photo: Credit Cliff Kimura
What to Do
Entertainment from local performing arts groups will fill both days of the festival with Okinawan dance, karate, taiko and live music. Featured performers this year include Naha Izumizaki Hatagashira Hozon Kai, a traditional performance group who will lift and balance a large pole with a flag and decorative lantern, and the Agari Sisters, a young, up-and-coming musical duo.
Register in advance for two complimentary crafty workshops. The bingata sessions, a traditional stenciled resist dyeing technique, are already full, but at last check, there were a few spots still open for the paranku (hand drum) class.
Photo: Cliff Kimura
The Village of Culture booth will feature a special exhibit showcasing Okinawan cuisine with live cooking demonstrations and samples of yakisoba, ashitibichi (pigs’ feet soup), champuru, mozuku and andagi. Additionally, you can dress up in Okinawan kimono with professional photography available for a fee.
This year there will be more wellness booths, an opportunity to learn the secrets of Okinawan health and longevity. Taste Mana-Su, a refreshing Okinawan drinking vinegar tonic, learn about Moai, the Okinawan tradition of close-knit support circles, relax with a natural massage from local Okinawan community specialists and more.
Photo: Andrea Lee
Play at the Children’s Games booth featuring a variety of Okinawan-themed, Japanese matsuri and classic carnival games, as well as the Keiki Korner with coloring fun and tabletop games.
Photo: Milton Hee
Entertainment
Here is a tentative schedule.
Saturday, Aug. 30
10 a.m. Program Opening and Ryukyu Sokyoku Koyo Kai Hawai‘i Shibu
10:25 a.m. Ryukyu Koten Ongaku Nomura-Ryu Ongaku Kyokai Hawai‘i Shibu
10:45 a.m. Naha Izumizaki Hatagashira Hozon Kai
11 a.m. Opening Procession Parade
11:25 a.m. Paranku Club of Hawai‘i
11:40 a.m. Formal Opening Ceremony – Introduction of Governor of Okinawa and mayors
12:15 p.m. Tamagusuku Ryu Kansen Atae no Kai Akiko Tome Ryubu Dojo
12:35 p.m. Agari Sisters
1 p.m. Ryusei Honryu Ryuko Kai
1:20 p.m. Shorin-Ryu Hawaii Seibukan
1:35 p.m. Hooge Ryu Hana Nuuzi No Kai Nakasone Dance Academy
1:55 p.m. Yuttai Kwattai
2:15 p.m. Hawai‘i Okinawa Creative Arts
2:35 p.m. Ka Lehua Studio
2:50 p.m. Ryukyukoku Matsuri Daiko Hawai‘i
3:10 p.m. Ryukyu Koten Afuso Ryu Ongaku Kenkyuu Choichi Kai USA/Hawai‘i
3:30 p.m. Afuso Ryu Choichi Kai Akebono Sound
3:40 p.m. Ryukyu Koten Afuso Ryu Ongaku Kenkyuu Choichi Kai USA/Hawai‘i
3:50 p.m. Kachashi – Ryukyu Koten Afuso Ryu Ongaku Kenkyuu Choichi Kai USA/Hawai‘i
Photo: Andrea Lee
Saturday, Aug. 30: Bon Dance
6 p.m. Opening & Welcome
6:05 p.m. Young Okinawans of Hawai‘i
6:30 p.m. ‘Aiea Taiheiji Yagura Gumi Set #1
6:45 p.m. Hawai‘i Shin Kobukai
7:10 p.m. Iwakuni Odori Aiko Kai
7:35 p.m. ‘Aiea Taiheiji Yagura Gumi Set #2
7:50 p.m. Hawai‘i Eisa Shinyuu Kai
8:15 p.m. Kachashi – Ryukyu Koten Afuso Ryu Ongaku Kenkyuu Choichi Kai USA/Hawai‘i
Photo: Milton Hee
Sunday, Aug. 31
10 a.m. Program Opening and HUOA Ichi Go Ichi E Class
10:25 a.m. The Kilauea Okinawa Dance Club
10:45 a.m. Dignitaries’ Greetings
11:10 a.m. Tamagusuku Ryu Senju Kai Frances Nakachi Ryubu Dojo
11:30 a.m. Toyama Kyuzo Roman Theater Co. (Kin Town)
11:52 a.m. 125th Anniversary Essay Contest Winner
12 p.m. Nidaime Teishin Kai Hawai‘i Shibu & HUOA Sanshin Class
12:20 p.m. Jimpu Kai U.S.A. Kin Ryosho Ryukyu Geino Kenkyusho Hawai‘i Shibu
12:40 p.m. Hālau O Nā Pua Kukui
1 p.m. Chinagu Eisa Hawai‘i
1:20 p.m. Shoshin Dance Company
1:40 p.m. Hawai‘i Okinawa Shinden Shorin Ryu Karate Association
2 p.m. Azama Honryu Allison Tokuko Yanagi Ryukyu Dance Studio
2:20 p.m. Nomura Ryu Dentou Ongaku Kyoukai Hawai‘i Shibu
2:40 p.m. Uta Maai
3:05 p.m. Kachashi – Ryukyu Koten Afuso Ryu Ongaku Kenkyuu Choichi Kai USA/Hawai‘i
SEE ALSO: Our Guide: Honolulu Summer Festivals
Photo: Paul Nakatani
Tips
Leave your pets and hard-shell coolers at home as they won’t be allowed inside.
Wear comfortable shoes since you’ll be walking a lot and waiting in line.
For nursing moms with babies, there are nursing pods located throughout the Convention Center.
Hurry to the HUOA Store to get your hands on the limited edition 125th anniversary souvenir pin.
Note that towards the end of the event, the festival may stop selling scrip and booths may accept cash instead, so bring some on Sunday.
If you can’t get enough of andagi and soba, you’re in luck. The Okinawan Feastival kicks off on Sept. 1 and runs through Sept. 15. Local restaurants will offer traditional foods and special menus. Check out the list of participating locations and dishes here.
Okinawan Festival, Saturday, Aug. 30, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sunday, Aug. 31, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m, Hawai‘i Convention Center, 1801 Kalākaua Ave., Waikīkī, okinawanfestival.com, @okinawanfestival
Laura Dornbush is a regular contributor to HONOLULU Magazine.
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